Live: Penn State to party over its recruits like never before

Coach James Franklin will publicize his receiver-heavy 2014 recruiting class tonight at a "white out" event

James Franklin answers questions from reporters after he was introduced as Penn State's new football coach on Jan. 11. Less than a month later, Franklin will officially unveil his 2014 recruiting class at an event in State College on Wednesday, which is National Signing Day, the day college recruits make their choices official. (Associated Press -- File)

The mini-celebrations will come one after another starting this morning in Penn State's Lasch Building.

Those letters of intent will begin spitting out of a fax machine, cementing the commitments of one high school senior after another for James Franklin and his new Nittany Lion staff.

For years, Penn State didn't even acknowledge who its commitments were on signing day. Lately, the team has at least released the names with bio information, and Bill O'Brien has talked to reporters about recruiting for a bit.

But a "white-out" event at the Jordan Center? With special appearances from two of the most popular linebackers from Linebacker U. — Mike Mauti and LaVar Arrington?

The new coach certainly is revving things up at Penn State. Things certainly are changing.

Take this, for example:

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This 2014 recruiting class, which should be finalized by tonight, features one of Penn State's highest-rated receiving hauls in at least the past 20 years.

While the Lions have many needs to fill, in part because of ongoing NCAA sanctions, they stocked up most thoroughly with pass-catchers, including one of the top tight ends in the nation.

It's difficult to know what that will mean for the future. Of course, three of the Lions' best receivers in school history have come in recent years and with little recruiting fanfare: Deon Butler, Jordan Norwood and Allen Robinson.

But this star-studded group coming in now is worth a look-over. In the Big Ten, only Ohio State's receivers are ranked higher.

Then there's New Jersey's Mike Gesicki, maybe the nation's top tight end combination of size, hands and athleticism.

These four begin to help offset the departures of Robinson, an All-American, and Brandon Felder. And it also bodes well for star sophomore-to-be quarterback Christian Hackenberg and even incoming QB Michael O'Connor.

Blacknall seems built in Robinson's mold (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) with good speed and fantastic leaping ability.

Thompkins is quick, versatile and is the only receiver to enroll early, meaning he will participate in winter workouts and spring practice. He can also return kicks.

"(Thompkins is) a very good route runner and can really take it the distance from any point on the field," said Adam Friedman, a Mid-Atlantic recruiting analyst for Scout.com. "He will be very involved in the screen game."

Godwin, the top player in Delaware, continued to improve during the fall and may be the most polished, all-around receiver of the group, Friedman said. He is 6-1 and 195 pounds.

"I think people are really going to like Chris Godwin a lot," said Mike Farrell, a national recruiting analyst with Rivals.com. "He's not flashy, he's not a burner. He has very reliable hands and will make a lot of big catches for them. "

Even more important is that the Lions don't have much returning at the position. Redshirt freshman Geno Lewis came into his own at the end of this past season, but beyond that, backups Richy Anderson and Matt Zanellato combined for only 17 receptions.

Could these incoming receivers make an immediate impact similar to what Derrick Williams, Justin King, Butler and Norwood did in 2005?

"If you get two or three to play right away, this haul is even better than you thought," said Greg Pickel, a recruiting analyst with FightOnState.com.

Blacknall, the receiver with the highest potential ceiling, was surprisingly brought in by Franklin just two weeks after he started.

And to help celebrate tonight, Franklin will put on a National Signing Day show like Penn State has never seen.